Fine line separates effective Astros lefty Happ from guy who was sent to the minors last season

VIERA, Fla. — The differences between good J.A. Happ and bad J.A. Happ can be so subtle in their cause yet so drastic in their manifestation.

In grabbing the attention of the baseball world in 2009 and keying the return package for Roy Oswalt in 2010, Happ was tremendous. In getting himself sent to the minors in 2011, he was the opposite of tremendous.

His stuff was the same — really. And his 2010 and 2011 numbers featured nearly identical walk rates (4.8 per nine innings both years) and strikeout rates (7.2 per nine innings in 2010 and 7.7 per nine innings in 2011).

But the results were nothing alike. His ERA soared from 3.40 in 2010 to 5.35 the next year, with only a three-week stint in Class AAA keeping him from qualifying for leader boards that would have him near the bottom.

For some who manage consistent peripherals like walks and strikeouts, that regression is a product of luck — batted balls falling in — but that’s never been the explanation Happ used. He just became more hittable.

Now, as he starts his second full season with the Astros on the heels of a two-inning debut in Sunday’s 10-2 win over the Nationals, he’s looking to regain mechanical and mental soundness.

“I threw quite a bit and was ready to go throw to hitters before I got down here,” Happ, 29, said. “I feel good about where we’re at. The confidence is good.”

Confidence has always been part of the lefty’s game, and he’s always quick to bring that up. He found something last year at Oklahoma City that allowed him to come back and finish with a run of good starts, in which posted a 2.43 ERA.

The mechanics aren’t fixable by just the figurative kick in the pants the demotion can provide or the pick-me-up of facing minor league hitters.

Repeating the delivery that can be deceptive if properly utilized is going to be the key to a successful 2012 season.

“Does he need to throw more strikes?” manager Brad Mills said. “Is it a mechanics issue? It’s probably one and the same simply because he has to be able to repeat the arm slot to throw strikes. If he’s able to repeat those, he becomes really good, because his stuff is really good.”

Happ looked good early in his spring debut on a chilly day on the Space Coast on Sunday.

He kept the ball down early, and thanks to the resulting ground-ball double play, he faced just three batters in the first inning. Mills noticed the ball started coming up in the second, which can be Happ’s undoing, and it led to a run on a walk and two singles.

He wanted to pitch a third inning, but Mills cut him off for fear of overdoing a pitch count, which settled in at 36 with an encouraging 25 strikes (69 percent, up from 60 percent last year).

“That was the goal to come in and try to pound the zone, and for the most part, I did that,” Happ said.

Houston Astros' Chris Johnson steals second base under the tag of Detroit Tigers second baseman Brandon Inge in the third inning.

Houston Astros' Chris Johnson steals second base under the tag of Detroit Tigers second baseman Brandon Inge in the third inning.

Photo: Paul Sancya / Associated Press

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Houston Astros' Jed Lowrie hits a two-run single against the Detroit Tigers in the fourth inning.

Houston Astros' Jed Lowrie hits a two-run single against the Detroit Tigers in the fourth inning.

Photo: Paul Sancya / Associated Press

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Houston Astros' Brian Bogusevic runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the fourth inning.

Houston Astros' Brian Bogusevic runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the fourth inning.

Photo: Paul Sancya / Associated Press

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<b><center>March 4: Astros 10, Nationals 2</center></b> Astros second baseman Joe Thurston turns a double play as Washington's Bryce Harper tries to break up the play during Sunday's spring training game in Viera, Fla. less

<b><center>March 4: Astros 10, Nationals 2</center></b> Astros second baseman Joe Thurston turns a double play as Washington's Bryce Harper tries to break up the play during Sunday's spring training game in ... more

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Astros catcher Rene Garcia swings at a ball.

Astros catcher Rene Garcia swings at a ball.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Astros pitcher Lucas Harrell looks at first base.

Astros pitcher Lucas Harrell looks at first base.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Astros prospect Delino DeShields Jr. plays second base during a spring training game against the Nationals on Sunday in Viera, Fla.

Astros prospect Delino DeShields Jr. plays second base during a spring training game against the Nationals on Sunday in Viera, Fla.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon swings at a pitch.

Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon swings at a pitch.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper hits a single.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper hits a single.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Chris Johnson takes an at-bat.

Chris Johnson takes an at-bat.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Matt Downs puts a ball into play.

Matt Downs puts a ball into play.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Nationals manager Davey Johnson talks to his infielders.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson talks to his infielders.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Fernando Martinez connects for a three-run home run off Nationals pitcher Tom Gorzelanny in the fourth inning.

Fernando Martinez connects for a three-run home run off Nationals pitcher Tom Gorzelanny in the fourth inning.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Chris Johnson hits a ball.

Chris Johnson hits a ball.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Astros lefthander J.A. Happ prepares to deliver a pitch.

Astros lefthander J.A. Happ prepares to deliver a pitch.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Astros prospect Delino DeShields Jr. swings the bat.

Astros prospect Delino DeShields Jr. swings the bat.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Brett Wallace swings at a ball.

Brett Wallace swings at a ball.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Astros pitcher J.A. Happ throws during Sunday's game.

Astros pitcher J.A. Happ throws during Sunday's game.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Astros manager Brad Mills looks on during Sunday's game.

Astros manager Brad Mills looks on during Sunday's game.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Fernando Martinez follows through on a three-run home run off Washington Nationals pitcher Tom Gorzelanny in the fourth inning.

Fernando Martinez follows through on a three-run home run off Washington Nationals pitcher Tom Gorzelanny in the fourth inning.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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J.D. Martinez, right, rounds third base after connecting for a three-run home run off Washington Nationals pitcher Tom Gorzelanny, left, in the third inning.

J.D. Martinez, right, rounds third base after connecting for a three-run home run off Washington Nationals pitcher Tom Gorzelanny, left, in the third inning.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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J.D. Martinez swings on a three-run home run off Washington Nationals pitcher Tom Gorzelanny in the third inning.

J.D. Martinez swings on a three-run home run off Washington Nationals pitcher Tom Gorzelanny in the third inning.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Astros second baseman Joe Thurston turns a double play as Washington's Bryce Harper slides into second.

Astros second baseman Joe Thurston turns a double play as Washington's Bryce Harper slides into second.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Astros outfielder Jake Goebbert makes a diving catch.

Astros outfielder Jake Goebbert makes a diving catch.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Nationals pitcher Drew Storen delivers a pitch.

Nationals pitcher Drew Storen delivers a pitch.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper takes an at-bat.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper takes an at-bat.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Spectators watch a spring training game between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals.

Spectators watch a spring training game between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Houston's Brian Bixler connects on a pitch.

Houston's Brian Bixler connects on a pitch.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Astros catcher Rene Garcia sits in the dugout.

Astros catcher Rene Garcia sits in the dugout.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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Fine line separates effective Astros lefty Happ from guy who was sent to the minors last season